Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Leeloo won't eat mealworms. I don't think she sees them as something to eat. She's way too skitty to try to offer one by hand. I tried putting some little ones in a dish at the bottom of her enclosure, and just had to fish them out again that night. I'm trying to add a little variety in her diet, but she doesn't seem interested. How do you all feed your anoles mealworms?
-----
Torey
D'oh! 0.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

I know the flightless fruit flies are good for babies. Will adults eat them, too? Or are they just too small to be worth it? I want to get a little menu variety here, so any info would be appreciated - on fruit flies or any other suggestions!

Thanks!
-----
Torey
D'oh! 0.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

No, flightless fruit flies are way to small for adults to eat. I tried it before, but the adults just ignore it, even though they could see flies right by their face.

Tim

I have an adult male green that will eat them by the hundreds if they are available...probably not typical.

I feed them by offering the worms in front of them with tweezers. If she doesn't eat, don't worry yet. It's close to winter, and in winter, everything slows down in anoles, their movements, appetite, etc. It's a common thing. She may not eat any mealies until spring begins. Even my anoles currently aren't interested in crickets this moment.

Tim

Again, that depends on whether they're browns or greens, and it should never get severe!

Anyhow, the anole may not be hungry yet or stressed. It will probably go for the mealworm if it's small enough and if it sees it move. If the anole just isn't interested, wait and try again later or try other foods. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

I've never fed mealworms to greens because I haven't kept many, but I feed mealworms regularly to browns and they eat them just fine. They are crawling around, though.
-----
Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame

and I slowly move a small mealworm in front of them. They've never rejected a wiggly mealworm stuck right in their face. It's gotten to the point where if they see chopsticks they'll lunge at them.
-----
Jerry Wei
WeiSide's Zoo

Try attaching a small container higher up in the tank near its basking area. My anoles dislike feeding on the bottom unless they are very hungry.

Every green I've ever owned prefer mealworms to crickets, though I rarely feed mealworms as they are not particularly great for them...certainly shouldn't be used as a staple (too much chitin).

You might try waxworms as a treat. Waxworms that escape will turn into small moths that your anole will quickly consume, as opposed to morphing into a nasty, little unpalatable beetle, as mealworms do.